Here’s what went down Thursday on G&A

* Draft Options- The Suns are just hours away from the draft and Gambo thinks the Suns might look to Stanford center Robin Lopez. Ash doesn’t like this pick because he wonders how serious either of the Lopez twins are about playing basketball. Gambo likes the high-energy and defensive presence that Lopez would bring. G&A debated whether the Suns would be better off with a “safer” pick, like Lopez or Brandon Rush, or a more athletic project like Anthony Randolph. G&A debated the trickle-down effect from the Shawn Marion-Shaq trade.

Suns Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin joined the guys to give us an up-close look at tonight’s draft and share his thoughts on who the club might select with the 15^th overall pick.

G&A also caught up with Bill Cartwright. The former 3-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls is now a member of Terry Porter’s first coaching staff with the Suns. Mr. Bill discussed playing with the great Michael Jordan and how he can help mentor Amare Stoudemire and even, Shaquille O’Neal, defensively.

No Bats- The Diamondbacks get shutout in Boston. G&A rip the struggling Eric Byrnes for swinging at a 3-0 pitch last night at Fenway. Byrnes was 1-13 during the 3-game series. Both agree nobody feels worse about the struggles than Byrnes himself. Gambo feels the weak NL West is masking many of the Diamondbacks’ issues.

In the Sports 620 KTAR Draft Extravaganza G&A caught up with Suns coach Terry Porter and the Suns’ 1^st-round pick, the before mentioned Robin Lopez.

 

 David Griffin, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations [9:48m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (306)

 

 Bill Cartwright, Suns assistant [11:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (306)

 

 Terry Porter, Suns coach [4:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (305)

 

 Robin Lopez [4:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (301)

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A

* Abbreviated show before Diamondbacks’ baseball in rainy Boston

* President Bush-cherd- The World Champion Phoenix Mercury visited The White House yesterday and “W” welcomed the Mighty Merc with open arms. Too bad he didn’t know how to pronounce the best player’s name (Diana Tur-e-see?). G&A pile-on Bush for not doing his homework and for the ridiculous gas prices.

* Big Win In Beantown- The D-Backs’ snapped their 3-game losing streak with a dramatic 2-1 win over the Red Sox at Fenway. Gambo called it the best win of the year. Ash thinks Dan Haren proved his worth last night beating Boston ace Josh Beckett. Both agree Eric Byrnes is still slumping-even after missing the past 25 games.

* Starting 2^nd baseman for the Boston Red Sox, reigning American League Rookie of the Year, and former Arizona State star Dustin Pedroia checked in to discuss his second season with the Sox and facing the Diamondbacks again this afternoon at Fenway. Pedroia is hitting .282 and leads Boston in hits (89) and doubles (22).

* Our ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian joined the guys for his weekly segment to discuss Dan Haren out-dueling Josh Beckett last night at Fenway, the uncertain future of Curt Schilling, and the fast-approaching trade deadline.

Shaq-Kobe Feud- People are still buzzing over Shaq calling out Kobe at a New York City club this past weekend. Gambo still thinks Shaq craves attention as much, or more, than any other professional athlete. Ash dug up some other athletes who have “dabbled” in music. They included Oscar de la Hoya, Tony Parker, and even Kobe Bryant himself. Gambo wrote and produced his own Shaq rap, not coming to a store near you.

Tomorrow we’ll joined by D-Backs’ skipper Bob Melvin.

 

 Dustin Pedroia [11:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (307)

 

 Tim Kurkjian [14:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (304)

Here’s what went down Friday on G&A…

Abbreviated, but jam-packed show leading into D-Backs baseball in Minnesota.

A Curt Farewell? The guys opened the show with the big news out of Boston that Curt Schilling is done for the season, and perhaps for the rest of his career. But is it a Hall of Fame career? Whom better than Schilling himself to answer that question. That’s right, Schilling was an impromptu guest on G&A and he told Ash he does not feel he has Hall credentials. Schilling also would not elaborate on which team he identifies his career with the most (or which hat he would wear in the Hall, should he get there). Philadelphia (believe or not) was the implicit choice, as he talked at length about his days as a Phillie, while simply mentioning his stops here and in Boston. (The only two places he won a championship, by the way.) A true contrarian that Schilling.

New/Old Assistant. Terry Porter’s staff is complete, with the biggest name being “Thunder” Dan Majerle. Majerle joined G&A to discuss his new gig. Gambo thinks he will bring some grittiness and toughness to the Suns. (You listening Boris Diaw?) Like Steve Kerr, Majerle’s familiarity with Porter as a former teammate helped him land the gig. OK, actually it was Porter’s familiarity with Kerr that got him his gig. But you get the point.

Last but not least was the last appearance of Tim Legler for the 2007-8 NBA season. Legs thinks the Lakers lack of a low-post presence was their undoing in the end, but was not surprised to see an Eastern Conference team end up with the title. He also feels there’s a misconception about the West being the superior conference. It may be superior in terms of depth, but not in terms of the two or three teams sitting on top.

Monday’s show: The return of E….

 

 Curt Schilling [17:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (297)

 

 Dan Majerle [10:35m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (323)

 

 Tim Legler [14:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (308)

Here’s what went down Tuesday on G&A…

Sore Thumbs. Gambo’s daughter is at it again. Just months after accruing 13,600 text messages in a single billing cycle, the number jumped to an astonishing 22,090 this past month. If you’re counting, that’s approximately one text message every two minutes. Ash won the award for coming closest without going over (“Price is Right” style). Gambo feels he’s failing as a parent. Ash agrees.

Mr. Bill. Gambo reported the Suns are interviewing Bill Cartwright for one of their vacant assistant coaching positions. G&A agree Cartwright would be a solid hire for Terry Porter. Dan Majerle, Tom Chambers, and Jeff Hornacek are also being considered for Porter’s staff.

More Money, More Problems. Javon Walker is sitting in a Las Vegas hospital today after being assaulted and robbed after a night of partying which included spraying several bottles of champagne at Body English. Ash wonders what how Walker could let this happen after seeing former Bronco teammate Darrent Williams die in his arms just a couple years ago. Gambo says this is another lesson-learned for professional athletes who aren’t more careful in public.

Benedict Becky! WNBA player and South Dakota native Becky Hammon is going to be playing in the Olympics- for Russia. Hammon says she simply wants to win a Gold Medal. G&A wonder what in the world Hammon is thinking. She has no connection to Russia. Both agree this story borders on embarrassing and Hammon is an unpatriotic sell-out.

Our ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian checked in to discuss the latest Diamondbacks’ slump, the Mets overnight dumping Willie Randolph, and Hank Steinbrenner’s outspoken comments following Chien-Ming Wang’s foot injury running the bases.

Wonderboy? Hank Steinbrenner is in and George Steinbrenner is out…well, sort of. Hank wants to stop seeing pitchers hit in interleague play after star pitcher Chien-Ming Wang recently injured his foot running the bases. Ash thinks Hank should just shut his mouth. Gambo likes the current set-up with the difference in leagues.

The oldest living ex-major league baseball player Bill Werber shared stories of playing with such legends like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Lefty Grove. He played 11 years in the big leagues. He will turn 100 Friday.

The new coach of the Chicago Bulls Vinny Del Negro joined the show to discuss his decision to leave the Suns’ front office and head to The Windy City in hopes of turning the Bulls back into contenders.

Tomorrow we’ll joined by A’s center fielder Carlos Gonzalez, D-Backs’ skipper Bob Melvin, and ASU AD Lisa Love.

 

 Tim Kurkjian [14:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (289)

 

 Bill Werber [18:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (295)

 

 Vinny Del Negro [13:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (313)

Here’s what went down Friday on G&A

* One Win Away - The Celtics are on the verge of winning the 2007-08 NBA title following last night’s dramatic come-from-behind win at Staples Center. The Lakers are done and Ash is happy about it. Gambo feels Eddie House’s two 3-pointers were critical in the comeback. He also can’t see the series making it back to Boston for a Game 6-unless Kobe goes crazy Sunday night. Both agree this would be a different series with a healthy Andrew Bynum. Gambo has a new-found respect for the skill level of Paul Pierce.

* Curveball - Pitcher Mitch Harris was just drafted by St. Louis Cardinals out of Navy. The Naval Academy is not allowing Harris to play baseball, but instead fulfill his 5-year commitment. He wants to play. Who is right in this case-Harris or the Navy? Ash thinks Harris needs to follow David Robinson’s lead and serve his country. Gambo thinks if he does somehow get out of his commitment, the Navy will not make it easy.

* Former 2-time NBA Champ, 4-time All-Star, and Detroit Piston “Bad Boy” Bill Laimbeer is now the head coach of the Detroit Shock who play the Phoenix Mercury tomorrow at US Airways Center. Laimbeer played 14 years in the NBA and became the 19^th player in league history to amass 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds. He said he doesn’t care who wins the NBA title because he hates both teams.

* Viva Viagra! - Athletes are turning to Viagra for a competitive edge serving as a “performance-enhancing drug.” Athletes are now popping Viagra at an alarming rate. Teams are not testing for this. Ash wonders how Viagra would give you any sort of an advantage. He also understands why Rafael Palmeiro once endorsed the product. Gambo thinks the temptation of lucrative long-term contracts drives athletes to get any “edge” they can.

* We were joined by D-Backs’ closer Brandon Lyon who picked up his second win of the season in yesterday’s dramatic 5-4 10-inning win over the Mets at Shea. Lyon’s ERA dropped to 1.29 following his two scoreless innings in New York.

 

 Bill Laimbeer [7:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (304)

 

 Brandon Lyon [6:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (301)